By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
The numbers speak loud and clear for No. 1 Seffner Armwood.
Two games, 70 points scored, 9 points allowed. A week after opening the season with a 26-7 pounding of defending Class 4A state champion Tampa Plant, Armwood kept its foot on the pedal with a 44-2 thrashing of a solid Tampa Wharton team.
And it's not just the Armwood offense putting up the numbers.
Against Plant, Armwood had eight quarterback sacks. In the Wharton game, Armwood's defense forced 12 three-and-out Wildcat possessions.
Don't expect much to change but there are interesting dates on the Armwood schedule. A Sept. 28 meeting at Tampa Jefferson and two late-season district games against Tampa Hillsborough and Tampa Middleton loom large.
And while Hillsborough remains a solid No. 2, Middleton is the mover of the week after an upset against Tampa Chamberlain, making its poll debut at No. 5. Largo remains the class of Pinellas County while St. Petersburg Northeast and New Port Richey Ridgewood remain unbeaten and on the poll.
Here's the Tampa Bay-area poll heading into Week 3 action.
1. SEFFNER ARMWOOD (2-0) - After a suspension, Armwood starting quarterback Mywan Jackson returned to action, leading the Hawks to a seven-touchdown win against Wharton. Up next: Brandon.
2. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH (2-0) - Hillsborough rolled up more than 240 yards on
the ground in a shutout win against Tampa Alonso. The Terriers travel to rival Chamberlain Friday.
3. LARGO (2-0) - Tailback Brynn Harvey ran for 279 yards and five touchdowns last week in 46-13 win against Palm Harbor University. Two game totals for Harvey: 528 yards and six touchdowns. The Packers have a bye this week.
4. TAMPA PLANT (1-1) - The Panthers got back on the winning track as quarterback Aaron Murray threw five touchdowns in a 48-21 win against Tampa Gaither. Plant has a tough matchup Friday at No. 5 Middleton.
5. TAMPA MIDDLETON (2-0) - The Tigers have a potent offense with playmakers in QB DeAndre Presley and RB Carlton Jones, but its' defense has been making most of the noise this season. That defense will get a test Friday with Plant coming in.
6. TAMPA JEFFERSON (1-1) - Dragons quarterback Zack Grossi shook off an injured throwing shoulder to toss four touchdowns in a 35-6 win against Tampa Robinson. Grossi will get an extra week to heal further as Jefferson is off this week.
7. ST. PETERSBURG NORTHEAST (2-0) - Like Largo's Brynn Harvey's numbers? Check out Northeast tailback's Jeff Brinson's two-game totals: 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. Northeast is at St. Petersburg Gibbs Friday.
8. TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (1-1) - Will the real Chamberlain stand up? They may have to Friday against No. 2 Hillsborough.
9. NEW PORT RICHEY RIDGEWOOD (2-0) - Probably the most underrated team on the poll. The Rams pounded Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch, 48-0, getting 163 yards from bruising running back Byronell Arline. The Rams are off this week.
10. ST. PETERSBURG BOCA CIEGA (1-0) - The Pirates only have one game under their belt but are among the top squads on both sides of Tampa Bay. Boca Ciega hosts St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins Friday.
Honorable Mention: Gibsonton East Bay, Clearwater Countryside, Riverview, Lithia Newsome, Dunedin.